Covering topics on religion, philosophy and life, this blog attempts to make biblical truths simple for the average believer. As porridge is soft to aid digestion, so the blog contents are easily understood.
However, there is also meaty stuff for those who aspire to go deeper. The relevance of the Bible in our daily life (areas such as finances, sex, marriage, health and emotional healing) is also dealt with.

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Tuesday, 21 January 2014

HOW TO OVERCOME WORRY

As long as we have breath, we are bound to have problems. We worry when our children fail to return home in the wee hours of the morning. We may be anxious about the prospect of being axed due to corporate restructuring. Or we may be overwhelmed as to how we are going to pay our hefty medical bills or fund our children’s tertiary education.

When we worry, we expend a lot of nervous energy which is better channeled to serving God and advancing His kingdom. Satan is most delighted when the army of God is weak—weighed down and distracted by the cares of the world (Luke 8:14).

However, the Bible is replete with wisdom and pointers how we can overcome anxiety and worry.

Firstly, we need to trust God’s promise that, no matter what happens, He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). We may not feel it. Circumstances may tell us otherwise. But we need to confess and affirm this truth that God will not leave us without hope or help.

Secondly, we need to trust that God will deliver us. And even if He does not deliver us the way we would expect, we need to trust Him that He has allowed us to go through difficult times for our spiritual discipline and growth (Hebrews 12:11). Let us learn from Joseph who trusted God even when he was thrown into the pit and prison. For his unwavering faith, he was finally vindicated when he became the governor of Egypt, second in rank to Pharaoh.

Thirdly, we need to study, meditate and declare aloud God’s Word so that the truth permeates our soul. The more we dwell on negative things, the more a sense of foreboding controls us. If left unchecked, it may choke us and make us feel miserable.

Some may say, Come on, isn’t that mere positive thinking? No. What is the difference between faith and positive thinking? Positive thinking is “free floating”; it is not necessarily hitched to something solid whereas faith is focused on an object—a fact. Faith rests in God’s word—to be exact, God’s character and the promises in His word.

Fourthly, if we’re overwhelmed, try praying in the Spirit. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Fifthly, do not sabotage our faith. Sometimes we get encouraged by a message on ‘overcoming worry’ but quickly slip into worrying mode again. If we continue to groan and moan, we nullify our trust in God. We need to be single-minded. We must not suppose that we will receive anything from God if we are double-minded (James 1:7).

Sixthly, we need to be realistic. We need to look at the problem squarely and pray that God will give us wisdom to solve it. “If any of you lacks wisdom,let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). For example, if we are beset by financial worries, we need to be thrifty, live on a budget, learn to be financially savvy, plan and work hard if we want to be free from debt.

Next, we need to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness to us in the past. We should set up our own memorial stones*to help us sail through the storms of life. When we get worried over the trials we are facing, we can cling on to God’s faithfulness. As He has dealt with us in the past, He will continue to be faithful to us—now and in the future.

Finally, we need to realise that, more often than not, the bad things we fear may befall us seldom come to pass. As we reflect on our past, we need to ask ourselves how many times are there when something really bad happened?

We need to remind ourselves not to live in the future but be primarily concerned about today’s troubles.“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34).

“You keep him in perfect peace

whose mind is stayed on you,because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

“Peace I leave with you;my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neitherlet them be afraid” (John 14:27).

“Come tome, all who labour and areheavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

*Footnotes:

After the Israelites crossed the river Jordan, Joshua instructed them to take twelve stones from the river and set them up on land as a memorial (Joshua 4:1-7). This was not only to commemorate the crossing but to remind the people of the miraculous power of God. If they face any trials in future, these memorial stones will remind them of God’s deliverance.

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1 comment:

BE WATCHFUL Don’t let worry and the cares of this life displace God, causing us to become fruitless. “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and CARES of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”(Luke 21: 34-36)Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the CARES of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.(Mark 4: 18-19)